Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-12-29

sparkle. His own eyes rested on hers
with an expression not to be mistaken.
His heart had surrendered itself long
ago to her sweet face, OF which fact
Mildred was not entirely ignorant.
The two sat down together, and Percy
Blake, with q look of determination that
was almost stern, plunged headlong into
the subject that was uppermost in his
mind.
'Dear Mildred he began, ''since
teaching in your fathers school l have
found something that makes life seem
brighter than / ever thought it could
be-"
Mildred experienced little inward
trembling, and Immediately divined what
was coming.
ut is something" he continued,
earnestly, ''that has made me ambitious
and anxious above all things tobe worthy
of great blessing"
"Ohl am sure you are both ambitious
and worthy" she said, with low,
wavering cadence.
"But not alone in my art" Ht
hesitated.
"No2" Her elastic temperament wa
asserting itself, and her averted eyes
while showing no displeasure, began tC
fash forth enigmatic sparkles.
'sNo," he continued; THAT is but {
small thing. lam ambitious to be worthy
of you, and / want you for mine through
life."
He held her hand tightly, aud waited
with wildly beating heart for reply.
It came in moment. Moving suddenly
from him, she arched her brows and ex
claimed.
'Dear me, Mr.. Blake, how extremely
sudden, and how perfectly d6surim
Her tone of voice was slightly elevated
with just tinge of naughty reproach,
and she had banished from her face every
vestige of expression save that of polite
surprise. He stared at her with dull
wonder, and his exhilaration rapidly
sank as if from cruel blow.
"Well, Miss Boyce," he atlength said,
in sad and mortified tone, ''if the alb,
surdity of what l have said impresses
you SO strongly"
"Why, of course it does"
"Then there remains but one thing fol
me to do, and that is to very humbly ask
your pardon. Goodnight"
There was resentment as we'll as regret
in his tone and manner as he rose and
moved toward the door, leaving Mildred
Boyce still seated.
''Oh, Professor Blakew
"Well2" he halted and looked back.
"Won't you wait just a moment2 ]
want you to show me something about
that. ugly interrupted resolution les
son."
~ beg your pardon, Miss Boyce, but
I tried to make the subject as clear as
possible in class"
ooh, but you told us TO come to you
if we stumbled on any knotty points"
Every we'll, " he replied, rather stiffiy,
''bring your music slate and pencil"
"Never mind them. Don't hold the
door open. Sit down at the piano by
me-"
He obeyed these commands, with q
dismal smile at her imperious tone.
"Now play the chords. There" Gas
she istined), "isn't that the place where
the resolution is Interrupted"
Eyes"
"What horrid place it would be to
stopl--wouldn't ita''
.".Certainly; we must progress some
thing like this" 5s
4" Wait Don't play any more yet.
What delightful state of suspense9--
don't you think so2"
"There is feeling of dissatisfaction
which"
"Yes, know, just like the affecting
love story you were telling in the class. .
"Love story!" in an indignant tone.
Eyes; when the novelist makes be-
lieve everything is coming out wrong,
and then brings about happy ending q
"Ah, remember. / used it as an
illustration.
"Well, now finish the lesson. Don't
dwell on that disagreeable minor chord
any longer"
Perry Blake humbly obeyed, and by a
series Of skillful changes arrived at sat
isfactory ending on that tonic chord.
There, that is better. 1t brings one
to sense of repose. believe that is the
proper term"
Eyes"
How different music and novels are
from real life u said Mildred, with low
sigh.
In what respect, Miss Boyce z"
She looked at him from under her
lashes. why, the musician doesn't
stop when disappointment comes in the
shape of interrupted resolution and
people in novels never give up when OBJ
stacles come before them"
"Wcll y Percy Blake was evidently
somewhat puzzled.
But real people do"
"Do they r. in listless tone.
"Of course they do. You do. You
turn away from your purpose justas soon
as the lcast thing happens"
Percy Blake gave sudden start. An
electric shock seemed to dart through
his whole being, and wild look ofhope
came into his face. Seizing both Of
Mildrcd's hands, he exclaimed: "Mil-
dred, do not triiie with me. Are you
sure you understand now much
love you Will you give me the right
to make it plain to youa'
All, she murmured, here is the
point Of unrest AGAIN. Let the answer
be what you will"
The moist and lustrous ewes beamcd
on him, and the pouting lips were SO
tempting and convtnicnt that he accept
ed the permission, and took his answer
in way that was altogether blissfu.
And thus, with the aid of his beauti-
full pupil, did Percy Blake find solution